Trouble in the Ruins #3

Return to the turbulence of ancient Canaan, circa 1400 BCE, through the portal of The Stones of Gilgal. As Book Three opens, kings and kingdoms are in turmoil. Even the floods of the Jordan could not stop Joshua and the tribes of Israel from entering the Promised Land. They set up camp near Jericho, build the gilgal to commemorate the crossing, and celebrate Passover—unaware that kings, priests and Anakim giants are jostling for power in new alliances, united only in their determination to eradicate every descendant of Jacob forever.

When the massive fortifications of the city of Jericho collapse at the blaring of ram’s horns and a shout from Joshua’s army, Salmon rushes into the ruins. His assignment is to save Rahab, the beautiful, quick-witted harlot who rescued him from certain death as an Israelite spy. Getting Rahab out of her own city plunges the pair into undreamed of Trouble in the Ruins. And that is only the beginning of trouble and treachery—for her and each of the other characters as they settle into life at Gilgal. Their next step, a highly significant pilgrimage to Shechem in the heart of Canaan, seems fairly straightforward. Moses’ writings give clear instructions for finding the exact place and what to do there, but nothing could prepare them for the detours, deceit, and devastating ruins they will encounter along the way.